Detachable waterproof connector



Aug. 13, 1968 R. R. POTTER DETACHABLE WATERPROOF CONNECTOR Filed 001:. 6, 1965 United States Patent 3,397,377 DETACHABLE WATERPROOF CONNECTOR Rossiter Raymond Potter, Harrisburg, Pa., assignor to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed Oct. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 493,400 6 Claims. (Cl. 339-60) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A detachable electrical connector is provided for primary use in underwater applications. The connector is waterproof and has an external diameter which is consistent with the external diameter of the cables being connected. Further, the connector has a resilient outer cover which permits of some flexibility whereby the connector will not interfere with coiling of the cables for storage.

In submarine applications, it is desirable to use antenna cable of the type having a buoyant and resilient waterproof insulation cover. The insulation cover may be made from urethane or other rubber-like material which will withstand high compression forces of deep water as well as normal compression forces on the surface of water. It is desirable to feed one end of this antenna cable out of a suitable orifice in a submarine vehicle and plug the other end into associate electrical equipment inside the submarine. It is also desirable to feed out only as much cable as is needed to reach the surface of the water. Therefore, short lengths of cable are used, for example 300 feet long, so that sections may be easily added on as a submarine submerges into the water, and likewise, sections may be removed as the vehicle rises to the surface of the water.

It is therefore desirable to provide detachable connectors for the above cable application wherein one side of a connector member may be attached to either another connector member or to associate equipment inside the submarine. The connectors must render a cable connection waterproof both at high compression forces in deep water, and low compression forces in shallow Water. The connectors must approach the tensile strength of the cable and must be the same outside diameter so as not to become snagged while being fed through an orifice in the submarine. These connectors should be of substantially short length so as not to cause an oversize bump when the cable is reeled on a spool inside the submarine.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide an improved detachable waterproof connector for electrical cable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a waterproof connector having an outside diameter the same as or smaller than the outside diameters of the cables to which it is terminated.

Another object is the provision of a connector for electrical cables wherein current is carried from one cable conductor to another by plug and socket means, and wherein connector halves are secured by twist lock means wherein longitudinal displacements are yieldingly resisted by spring means.

A further object is the provision of a waterproof connector having resilient sheath means to seal the connec tion against the ingress of moisture.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent when the description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partial sectional vie-w showing a plug member and receptacle member in engageable relationship constituting a connection in accordance with the present invention;

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FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view defining the twist lock means on the plug of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing the connection of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings, the plug member P of the present connector comprises a cylindrical contact element made of electrically conductive metal such as brass, having a wire barrel 2 on one end thereof, a body 4 in the central portion thereof, and a contact pin 6 coextensive with body 4. Wire barrel 2 is crimped or otherwise compressed onto conductor 8 of cable C so that electrical current may be carried from conductor 8 to pin 6. A sleeve of heat shrinkable plastic 9, such as polyvinyl chloride, is disposed over the area where plug P joins cable C. Sleeve 9 is shrunk onto the joint, by heat, during which time the plastic conformably surrounds and hugs the joint. This arrangement provides rigidity to the cable termination and relieves undue bending stresses at that juncture. A metal support ring 31 is disposed around the cable at 5, between the cable and sleeve 9 to assure a tight grip when sleeve 9 shrinks onto the cable. Support ring 31 has inwardly projecting tabs 32 which engage the cable insulating material to give support against twisting.

A latch pin 10 is fixedly mounted onto body 4 with ends 11 and 12 projecting from adjacent sides of body 4. Latch pin 10 engages corresponding latching slots on the receptacle when the connector halves are mated. A transverse inspection hole 7 is formed in the closed end of wire barrel 2 by which the operator may inspect con-- ductor 8 for proper positioning within barrel 2 prior to crimping.

A pliable polyurethane bushing 14 is disposed around contact pin 6 where it extends from body 4. Bushing 14 constitutes spring means for the connector by which longitudinal displacements between the plug and receptacle are yieldingly resisted. This arrangement coacting with the twist lock feature of the connector insures a tight mechanical connection when the plug P and receptacle R are mated.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the receptacle member R of the present connector comprises a cylindrical contact element made of electrically conductive metal such as brass, having a wire barrel 16 on one end thereof. Wire barrel 16 is identical to wire barrel 2 on plug P and has a like inspection hole 17 for inspecting conductor 19 for proper positioning therewithin. Wire barrel 16 is crimped onto conductor 19 whereafter another heat shrinkable plastic sleeve 13 and support ring 31' applied over the termination, as hereinbefore described. The other end of receptacle member R has a bore H therein which receives body 4 on the plug member. Bore H is counterbored to provide a shoulder 29 against which pliable bushing 14 is compressed, and a cavity 21 into which a socket member 20 is secured. For a complete disclosure of the socket member reference is made to copending application Ser. No. 286,725, filed June 10, 1963, now Patent No. 3,286,671, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application. Socket member 20 insertably receives contact pin 6 on the plug when the connector is mated. Socket member 20 includes a cylindrical member made of brass or other electrically conductive metal having helical slots 20' therearound and having its sidewalls formed inwardly at the center to provide a lesser diameter surface so as to engage contact pin 6. Socket member 20 is swaged, welded or otherwise fastened into counterbore or cavity 21. A support sleeve 15, of electrically conductive metal 'such as brass, is frictionally fitted around the open end of receptacle R to prevent that end from opening. A pair of twist lock latching slots 18 are formed into the open end of receptacle member R. Latching slots 18 are formed longitudinally into the open end, so that their inward terminating ends 18 extend substantially at right angles to slots 18 and have offset portions 18" into which the pins will seat. This arrangement provides latches to receive latch pin 10 on the plug member P. Latching slots 18 are formed through the sidewalls of the receptacle member, but not through support sleeve which is press-fitted therearound.

A sheath of pliable insulating material 22, such as neoprene, is frictionally attached to cable C at 23. A coating of medium consistency silicone grease (not shown) of the type made from silicone oil and thickened with lithium soap is applied over outer cover 5 of cables C and C prior to attaching sheath 22. The silicone grease acts as a lubricating agent when the sheath is threaded onto a cable, and subsequently acts as a sealing agent to seal that joint when the connector is used underwater. The inner surface of sheath 22 is undercut at 24 and double undercut at 26 and 26 to allow the sheath to hug receptacle R particularly during the abovementioned high compression forces. Sheath 22 extends beyond receptacle R in skirt-like fashion so that its extending end 25 envelopes plug P and engages cable C in the same manner that it engages cable C. An annular ridge 27 is provided by undercuts 26 and 26, which ridge 27 is positioned behind support sleeve 15. This arrangement holds outer sheath 22 onto receptacle R and causes it to remain in place on receptacle R when plug P is detached.

In operation, the ends of insulated electrical cables C and C are prepared by stripping pre-measured lengths of center conductors 8 and 19. The connector insulation is stripped in stepwise fashion so as to expose certain pre measured lengths of conductor dielectric 3, inner plastic 5 and outer cover 5'. The stripped section of outer cover 5 provides the surface by which sheath 22 is later connected to the cable. This arrangement allows sheath 22 to be of the same diameter of cables C and C. A plug P and receptacle R are then crimped onto respective cable ends, whereafter the associate parts are assembled to each.

Plug P is insertably pushed into receptacle R so that latch pin 10 engages latching slots 18. A further push of plug P into receptacle R causes bushing 14 to compress against shoulder 29 sufiiciently to allow pin ends 11 and 12 to bottom in slots 18. Upon bottoming, receptacle R is held fixed while plug P is twisted in clockwise direction. This causes ends 11 and 12 to enter notches 18 and seat in offsets 18 to lock the plug and receptacle together. The bias of bushing 14 against receptacle R causes the connection to remain tight and prevents an accidental disconnection.

During the above connector engagement, pin 6 enters and frictionally engages socket for the electrical connection. End of sheath 22 simultaneously engages outer cover 5' on cable C. Sheath 22 envelopes the interconnected plug and receptacle and seals the connector against the ingress of moisture. When the connector is used in deep water where high compression forces are found, these forces pushing against sheath 22 further seal the connection by virtue of the silicone grease between the cable and sheath and the resiliency of sheath 22 which causes it to further compress and conform around the plug and receptacle.

The result is a waterproof and detachable mechanical and electrical connection between two cables wherein the connector diameter is no greater than that of the cables. The connector is tightly insulated and sealed at normal outside forces on the surface of water or in the depths thereof.

It will, therefore, be understood that cables having the present low profile connector thereon will easily pass through openings in the sidewall of underwater vehicles. It will also be understood that the present connectors will allow cables to be reeled onto a spool inside the vehicle with no excessive bumps on the reel.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and other desirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasized that the particular embodiment of the invention, which is shown and described herein, is intended as merely illustrative and not as restrictive of the invention.

I claim:

1. A waterproof connector for joining electrical cables comprising the combination of .a plu member, a receptacle member, said plug member including a con tact element having a wire barrel on one end thereof adapted to be secured to a first cable, a central body portion having latch pins thereon, a contact pin coextensive with said wire barrel and adapted to insertably mate with said receptacle member to carry electrical current from one of said cables to the other, strain relief means on said plug member to relieve bending stresses where said plug member joins said first cable, and inspection means on said wire barrel to assure proper cable positioning relative to said plug member, said receptacle member including a contact element having a wire barrel portion on one end thereof adapted to be secured to a second cable, strain relief means on said receptacle member to relieve bending stresses where said receptacle joins said second cable, inspection means on said wire barrel to assure proper cable positioning relative to said receptacle member, socket means adjacent said wire barrel portion adapted to insertably receive said contact pin, and latching slots on the other end thereof for engagement with said latch pins to lock said plug and receptacle in engageable relationship, spring means in said connector coacting with said plug member and said receptacle member to bias said connector into engageable relationship, and sealing means in said connector including a resilient outer sheath attached to said cables to seal the connection against moisture.

2. A waterproof connector for joining electrical cables comprising the combination of a plug member and a receptacle member, said plug member including a contact element having a wire barrel on one end thereof adapted to be secured to a first cable, a central body portion having protruding latch pins thereon and a contact pin coextensive with said wire barrel and adapted to insertably mate with said receptacle member to carry electrical current from one of said cables to the other, said receptacle member including a contact element having a wire barrel portion on one end thereof adapted to be secured to a second cable, socket means adjacent said wire barrel portion adapted to insertably receive said contact pin, and latching slots on the other end thereof for engagement with said latch pins to lock said plug and receptacle in engageable relationship, spring means in said connector adapted to coact with said plug member and said receptacle member to bias said connector into engageable relationship, and sealing means including a resilient outer sheath to seal the connection against the ingress of moisture.

3. A waterproof connector for joining electrical cables comprising the combination of a plug member and a receptacle member, said plug member including a contact element having a wire barrel on one end thereof adapted to be secured to a first cable, a central body portion having protruding latch pins thereon and a contact pin coextensive with said wire barrel and adapted to insertably mate with said receptacle member to carry electrical current from one of said cables to the other, said receptacle member including a contact element having a wire barrel portion on one end thereof adapted to be secured to a second cable, socket means adjacent said wire barrel portion adapted to insertably receive said contact pin, and latching slots on the other end thereof for engagement with said latch pins to lock said plug and receptacle in en gageable relationship, inspection means on both of said wire barrels including holes formed transversely into said wire barrels through which conductors of said cables may be seen to assure proper positioning of said cables relative to said plug and receptacle member, strain relief means on said plug member and said receptacle member including plastic sleeves which.

coextend from said contact elements over a length of insulation of said cables to relieve bending strains in said connector, spring means including a compressible bushing in said connector coacting with said plug and receptacle members to bias said connector into engageable relationship, and sealing means including a resilient outer sheath of constant diameter with said cables to seal the connection against moisture.

4. A waterproof connector for joining electrical cables comprising the combination of a plug member and a receptacle member having latching means including latching pins and latching slots thereon, said plug member including a contact element having a wire barrel on one end thereof adapted to be secured to a first cable, a central body portion having said latch pins thereon for engagement with latching slots on said receptacle, and a contact pin coextensive with said wire barrel and adapted to insertably mate with a socket in said receptacle member to carry electrical current from one of said cables to the other, said receptacle member including a contact element having a wire barrel portion on one end thereof adapted to be secured to a second cable, socket means adjacent said wire barrel portion adapted to insertably receive said contact pin, and said latching slots on the other end thereof for engagement with said latch pins to lock said plug and receptacle in engageable relationship, inspection means on both of said wire barrels including holes formed transversely into said wire barrels through which conductors of said cables may be seen to assure proper positioning of said cables relative to said plug and receptacle members, strain relief means on said plug member and said receptacle member including plastic sleeves which coextend from said contact elements over a length of insulation of said cables to relieve bending strains in said connector, spring means including a compressible bushing between said plug member and said receptacle member to bias said connector into engageable relationship, and sealing means including a resilient outer sheath to seal the connection against moisture, said sheath adapted to frictionally grip said connector and said cables and conform therearound as outside pressures are increased against said connector.

5. A waterproof connection between first and second electrical cables including a plug member secured to said first cable and a receptacle secured to said second cable,

said plug and receptacle insertably engaged and latched by latching pins on said plug member engaging latching slots on said receptacle constituting a mechanical connection, contact pin means on said plug engaging socket means on said receptacle constituting an electrical connection, strain relief means on said connection including shrinkable plastic sleeves adapted to relieve bending stresses where said cables join said connector, spring means including a compressed pliable bushing between said plug member and said receptacle member biasing said latching pins against oifset portions in said latching slots, and an outer pliable sheath frictionally engaging said cables and said connector to prevent water from entering said connection.

6. In a plug and receptacle coupling of the bayonet type for connecting electrical cables, waterproofing and insulating means defined by an outer resilient sheath between said cables having an outer diameter the same as the outer diameter of said cables, said sheath having annular recesses in the ends thereof adapted to snugly grip undercuts on said cables and having inner surfaces adapted to conform around said coupling as outside pressures are increased against said coupling, to render said coupling waterproofed and insulated, said annular recesses being lubricated by a silicone grease agent to aid in attaching said sheath to said cables, said agent providing additional sealing means where said sheath joins said cable.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,747 8/1929 Boone 339-213 2,275,800 3/1942 Olson 339-59 2,281,739 5/1942 Wright 339-75 X 2,291,434 7/1942 Hallopeter et al. 339-205 2,852,596 9/1958 Prince 174-73 2,907,973 10/ 1959 Stevens 339-59 2,941,182 6/1960 Heller 339-61 X 3,031,638 4/1962 Bertram 339-217 3,259,871 7/1966 Chandler 339-63 3,297,975 1/1967 Pope 339- 3,336,563 8/1967 Hyslop 339-177 RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner.

JOHN H. MCGLYNN, Assistant Examiner. 

